Ironing machine with reciprocating ironing shoe



Jan. 6, 1953 H. H. BABCOCK 2,624,135

IRONING MACHINE WITH RECIPROCATING IRONING SHOE Filed March 9, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l /.9 2/ Inuenior: (5 /7 20 fienggflfiabcock.

Jan. 6, 1953 H. H. BABCOCK IRONING MACHINE WITH RECIPROCATING IRONING SHOE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 9, 1948 172?? fiabcock Patented Jan. 6, 1953 IRONING MACHINE WITH .RECIPROCATING IRONING SHOE Henry H. Babcock, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Conlon-Moore Corporation, Cicero, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application March 9, 1948, Serial No. 13,836

14 Claims.

This invention relates to ironing machines, and has to do with ironing machines intended more particularly for domestic use.

In ironing articles by hand, it is customary to move the iron over the articles in first one direction and then another, such directions being in general substantially perpendicular to one another. This has the effect of smoothing out the articles and preventing wrinkles or creases therein. Further, the changes in direction of movement of the iron, in contact with the article, subjects the threads of the fabric to substantially the 'same pressure and tension both lengthwise and transversely of the article, avoidingany .distortion'thereof and imparting thereto a desirable smoothness and sheenv Hand ironing thus prO- duces a noticeably better finish to the articles than it is possible to accomplish by machine ironing, as usually practiced, but is open to the objection that it involves more time and labor than ironing by machine.

There is disclosed, in Patent No. 2,217,522, is-. sued October's, 1940, to Frederick K. Mueller an ironing machine in which theshoe is reciprocated lengthwise of the cooperating roll, this machine,

in operation, closely approximating hand ironing.

and imparting to thearticles that smoothness and sheen characteristic of articles ironed ,by hand. In the machine of the Mueller patent, the ironing shoe is carried by a reciprocatory and rockably mounted shoeoperating shaft mounted in appropriate bearings, this shaft, and withit the shoe supporting, arm and the shoe, being reciprocated in the operation of the machine. When the shoe is in cooperating relation to the roll, it is subjected to substantial pressure which reacts on the shoe operating shaft and tends to bend or "spring that shaft to a certain extent. That results in the bearings supporting the reciprocating shaft being subjected .to' objection-.

able pressure which tends to cause excessive wear of such bearings. My invention is directed to simple and efficient means for reciprocating theironing shoe of the machine while avoiding sub-f jecting the bearings for the shoe operating shaft to objectionable-wear. vide means whereby the shoe may be reciprocated without reciprocating the shoe operating shaft and the shoe supporting-arm mounted on that shaft. To that end, I provide means whereby the shoe is mounted on the shoe supporting arm for movement thereby to and from the roll and is also mounted on the shoe supporting arm for relative reciprocation lengthwise of the roll, such mounting means including means for reciprocating the shoe. Further, the shoe reciprocating More particularly, I pro-' means comprises means whereby the extent of travel of the shoe in either direction may be adjusted, during reciprocation thereof, and reciprocation of the shoe may be prevented, to suit the character and condition of articles being ironed. That is desirable as conducive to best results. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a rear view, partly broken away, of an ironing machine embodying my invention, showing the shoe at the limit of its movement in one direction lengthwise of the roll;

Figure 2 is a. fragmentary sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line.Z-2 of Figure 1, certain par-ts being shown in elevation and broken away;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the roll drive shaft and associated parts, certain parts being shown in elevation and certain other parts being shown partly broken away and in section;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the shoe, with the upper portion of the shoe supporting arm shown in elevation;

- Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View, on an enlarged scale, of the shoe mounting means, taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 4, certain parts being shown in plan;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View, on an enlarged scale, of the gear housing, showing the plunger and associated parts for reciprocating the shoe, the face plate of the shoe being shown fragmentarily and in section, this View being taken substantially on line 65 of Figure l and certain parts being shown in plan;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but showing a modification, this view being taken substantially on line 1 of Figure 8 and certain parts being shown in plan; and

Figure 8 is an elevational view, as seen from the rear and on a reduced scale, of the gear housing and associated parts of an ironing machine embodying the modification of Figure 7,.the shoe and the roll being shown fragmentarily.

j I have illustrated my invention, by way of'.ex' ample, as embodied in an ironing machine which is, in general, similar to that disclosed in the above identified Mueller patent and to that disclosed in Patent No. 2,054,631, issued September 15, 1936, to Rudolph W. Janda, for ironing machine.

; The machine comprises a suitable stand having a top bed plate 9 supported by depending legs H).

.A main gear housing ll, closed at its outer end by a removable cover plate I2, is appropriately mounted upon bed plate 9, at one end thereof, and extends downward therethrough. A sleeve I3 is formed integrally with, and extends upward from, bottom wall Hi of housing A worm gear housing |5, appropriately secured to and depending from housing II, is provided with a collar |6 aligned with a depending bearing boss H, the latter receiving the lower end portion of a shaft section I3, which passes upward through collar |5. A worm wheel I9 is secured upon shaft section It and meshes with a worm 29 fixed on a shaft 2| rotatably mounted in housing 5, the latter shaft being driven, through a flexible coupling 22, by an electric motor 23 suspended from bed plate 3 by hanger brackets 24.

Shaft section I8 passes upward through a bushing 25, mounted in sleeve IS with its lower end contacting the upper end of hub la of worm wheel Hi. Bushing 25 extends above sleeve I3, through an eccentric and clutch assembly designated generally by the reference number 26. The assembly 2B'is, similar to the eccentric and clutch assembly disclosed inthe above identified patent to Rudolph W. Janda and in Patent, No. 1,867,839, issued July 19, 1932, to Rudolph W. Janda, and need not be illustrated nor described here in detail, a brief description thereof being'sufficient.

Assembly 25 comprises a member 21, loose on bushing 25, having a depending eccentric 21a seating at its lower end upon the upper end of sleeve l3. Suitable means is provided for clutching and declutching member 21 to and from shaft section l8. This clutch means is controlled by a trip finger 2B pivoted to the front Wall 29 of gear housing H and normally held in operative position. Finger Z8 is connected, by a rod' 39, to an arm 3| secured upon a pin 32 loosely mounted through a lug 33 extending inward from upper portion 23a. of front wall 29 of housing H. An angle lever 34. has its lower end secured upon pin 32, extends through a slot 35 in wall portion 29a, and is provided at its outer end with ahead or knob 33. Lever 3:3 normally is held in its outer position by a coil wire spring 31 disposed about pin 32, with one arm engaged beneath arm 3| and its other arm extending across the top of. lug 33, in rear of lever 34 and effective as a stop for limiting outward movement thereof. Spring 31 also serves normally to hold trip finger 2 3 in normal position, effective for declutching member 27 trip finger 28 is moved into inoperative position,

l8 and maintaining releasing the clutch means, which is spring actuated, thus clutching member 21 to shaft section it for rotation therewith. Lever 34 is moved inward but momentarily, and is then released, returning trip finger 28 to operative position. Rotation of member 27 with shaft section 8 continues, during a predetermined portion; about 180?, of the ensuing rotation of shaft section IB, at which time an element of the clutch contacts finger 23 and member 21 is declutched from shaft section S. In this manner member 21 is clutched to shaft section it, turns therewith to a predetermined extent, and is then automatically declutched therefrom. The particular clutch meansemployed is not of the essence of my inven-- tion, though I preferably employ the clutch means disclosed in Patent No. 1,867,839, above referred to. Suffice it to state that suitable means is provided for optionally clutching member 21 to shaft section It for rotation therewith to a predetermined extent, and declutching member 21 from from to the upper surface of bed plate 9.

the shaft section when it has been turned to the desired extent.

Shaft section I8 is disposed below and coaxially with an upper shaft section 33 rotatably mounted through a relatively thick rib 39 extending from the inner end wall of gear housing Shaft section 33 is provided, at its lower end, with a reduced squared stud 38a which fits into a corresponding bore in the upper end of a coupling member 330.. Shaft section I8 is provided, at its upper end, with a reduced squared stud |6a which fits into a corresponding bore in the lower end of member 39a. In this manner, the two shaft sections are coupled together for rotation as a unit.

Ail-llO'fliIlQ roll d0, provided with a suitable pad, extends from. gear housing inward over bed plate 8 thereabove and parallel therewith Roll 48 is mounted for rotation about its axis, and is secured to a shaft 4|, extending into gear housing and appropriately mounted for rotation. Conveniently the roll 4iland shaft 4| are mounted and secured together inthe manner disclosed in the two above identified Patents No. 1,867,839 and No. 2,054,631. The particular manner of mounting roll so and shaft ll, and connecting them together, not of the essence of my invention, and need not be set forth in greater detail. Suffice it'to state, that the roll and the shaft are rotatably mounted and connected together in an appropriate manner.

Roll. shaft 4| is driven, as desired, from shaft section 33 through. a change speed gearing assembly indicated generallyby the reference num ber- 42'. The assembly '42 is, similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 2,054,631, and need not be described here in. detail beyond noting that it comprises a ring member 69 having external gear teeth T0, providing an external ring gear. It has associated therewith suitable control means whereby shaft 4|, and consequently roll 4|], may be driven at either one of two speeds, or rotation of the roll may be prevented, as desired. The control means. is operated by a control rod 43 mounted for turning movement through a boss 44 at the bottom of upper portion 29a of front wall 29 of gear housing Rod 43 also extends through and projects outward beyond a plate 44a seating upon the outer face of boss 44, suitably secured thereto and extending downward there- An operating handle 46 is secured upon the outer end of rod 43, the inner end of which is connected, by a universalconnection 47, to the forward end of a turnably mounted control member 48. Means is also provided, comprising a two-part control lever 49and a cooperating eccentric 5t rotatable with member 21, for automatically enabling and disabling the drive, between assembly 42 and roll shaft 4|, in accordance withpredetermined turning, of the. latter. The variable speed driving means and, associated control means referred to are fully disclosed'in Patent No. 2,054,631 and neednot; be, described in gre-aterdetail here. If desired, any other suitable means may be prod d fcr'drivin the roll shaft, such,1for example, astheh means disclosed in Patent: No. 1,867,839 or in Patent No. 2,026,345, issued on December 31, 1935, to Rudolph W. Janda, for Ironing Machine. It will be seen, from what has been said, that the shaft sections l8 and 38, together with hub coupling member 39a, constitute a unit or shaft and that this shaft has appropriate driving connection to the roll for driving or rotating the latter from the motor 23. The ironing machine illustrated'and so fardescribed is, in general, similarto that disclosed in Patent-No. 2,054,631. Gear housing H is provided, at its rear inner corner, with an exterior boss 53. An elongated tube or sleeve 55 is mounted at its outer end in boss 53, extends therefrom along bed plate 9 in close proximity thereto and parallel with roll 48, and has its inner end portion secured in a bracket 56 in an appropriate manner, as by a set screw 51, which'bracket is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to bed plate 9. A shoe operating shaft 58 extends through bushings (not shown) mounted in the ends of sleeve 55 and is mounted therein for rocking movement about its axis, Shaft 58 extends through the outer end of sleeve 55 and boss 53 into gear housing I l, and also projects through the inner end of sleeve 55 a considerable distance beyond bracket 56, asshown in Figures '1 and 2. 3

A shoe operating arm by means of a pin-68a, on the inner end of shaft 58, and is straddled by a bifurcated shoe supporting arm 6|, loosely mounted at its lower end on shaft 58 and confined against relative move--' ment lengthwise thereof by arm 88. Means, including an emergency release lever 62, is provided for normally coupling the arms 60 and 61 together for movement as a unit. An ironing shoe 53, conveniently heated by electrical resistance elements contained therein, is mounted upon the upper end of arm 6| for movement therewith to and from roll 48. This shoe is of known construction and comprises a face plate 68 having a concaved ironing or operating surface cnf-orm-' ing in transverse curvature and in lengthto the cooperating surface of the roll 48. It will be clear that the shoe 53 is, mounted on shaft 58 and connected thereto for movement therewith, when the arms 88 and (ii are coupled together. The arrangement of the arms '68 and 6| and the associated coupling means and the shoe is similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 2,026,345. It is not essential to my invention, however, that this particular arrangement be used, and any suitable means may be provided for supporting the shoe and operatively connecting it to its associated operating shaft.

An arm 64 (Figure 2) is secured upon the outer endof shoe operating shaft 58, within gear housing II, and extends downward therefrom. The lower end of arm 64 is connected, by a universal connection 65, to the rearward end of a connecting rod 65 provided at its forward end with an eccentric strap 61 fitting about eccentric 21a. Turning of eccentric 21a to predetermined extent, into one position, about its axis in one direction, and turning of the eccentric from that position through 180 into its other position, turns shaft 58 about its axis in the other direction. In this manner ec-' centric 21a serves to turn shoe operating shaft 58 about its axis in alternately opposite directions and to predetermined extent, effective for moving the shoe 83 to the roll 48 incooperatin relation, therewith and moving. the shoe away from the roll out of such cooperating relation.

The shoe 53 is of known construction and comprises face plate 68 and associated heating elements secured to the plate by means of suitably spaced clamp members, the central one of which is shown at 1137'). hearing on a clamp plate 78a, the clamp members Nib being secured in position by screw studs welded to face plate 68 and passing through the clamp members 16b, these studs receiving nuts screwed thereon, as is known.

68 is suitably secured, as-

turns shaft 58- 6 InFigure 4 the securing stud and nut have been omitted for clearness of illustration.

The central clamp member 18b is provided with a pair of spaced rearwardly extending ears H and I2 rigidly secured thereto, conveniently formed integral therewith. The ears H and 12 receive between them a sleeve 13 fixed to the upper end of the shoe supporting arm 6|, conveniently formed integral therewith. A shaft M extends through sleeve 13 and is fixed therein in an appropriate manner, conveniently by a pin 13a passing therethrough and through sleeve 13. The shaft '14 passes through and slidably receives the ears H and 12, and projects a substantial distance beyond ear 12. A compression coil spring 15, mounted about the projecting portion of shaft 14, is confined between ear l2 and a washer 16 disposed about shaft 14 and restrained against relative outward movement by a snap ring 11 engaging in a circumferential groove 18 in shaft 14. It will be seen that the shoe 63 is mounted on the upper end of shoe supporting arm 61 for movement thereby to and from roll 48, is pivoted on shaft 14 for turning movement thereabout to fit accurately to roll 48, and is slidable on shaft 14 lengthwise thereof so as to have reciprocating movement relative to arm 6| lengthwise of roll 48. The compression spring 15 urges shoe 63 toward gear housing ll, its movement in that direction being limited by contact of ear 12 with sleeve 13, as shown in Figure 5.

The gear housing II is provided, at its upper portion, with a rearward projection 88 having an interior forwardlyextending web element 8! (Figure 6) spaced inward a short distance from the outer side of housing ll. Web element 8| is provided with an integral inwardly extending sleeve 82 in which is rotatably mounted an elongated tubular hub 83 of a cam member 84. The member 84 comprises a spur pinion 85 provided at its inner face with suitably shaped and disposed cam elements or lobes 86. The pinion 85 is in mesh with the external gear member, comprising the gear teeth 18, of the ring gear 59 and is driven thereby when the roll 48 is driven.

The cam elements 85 are disposed to contact a pin 81 secured through a plunger 88 diametrically thereof and projecting beyond the sides of this plunger. The plunger is slidable through a tubular boss 89 integral with inner side wall 98 of gear housing I I, and slidably mounted at its outer portion in the cam member 84, which is free to rotate on plunger 88 and in sleeve 82. A screw 92, threaded through boss 89 and locked in. position bya jam nut 93, engages in a lengthwise keyway or groove 94 in plunger 88 and restrains it against turnin movement while leaving it free for lengthwise movement. The plunger 88 is provided at its outerend with a coaxial reduced stud 95, upon which a cam head 95 is fixed in an appropriate manner, conveniently by means of a pin 91, fora purpose which will appear presently.

The plunger 88 is so disposed that stud 85 is aligned with face plate 68 of the shoe 63, when the latter is to the roll 48, and the extent of movement of shoeBS toward the gear housing I I, by compression spring 15, is such that the adiacent end of plate 58 is then in contact with stud 95 and cam head 96, with ear 12 (Figure 5) spaced a slight distance away from sleeve I3 of shoe supporting arm 63. Under such conditions, when cam member 84 is rotated incident to driving of roll 45,.

In the movement of shoe Gilaway from roll 4t; face plate 56 is moved clear of cam head 96.- The shoe 63 is then moved toward the gear housing I I, by compression spring 7-5, a position in which ear 72 contacts sleeve 13 as in Figure 5. The cam head $3 is provided with a rearwardly extending cam element Usually, when the shoe E3 is moved away from roll the plunger 88 is in its outer position shown in Figure 6. It may, however, occasionally be in its projected or inner position at that time. The cam element I 69 of head 526 is so disposed and of such extent that it will contacted by face plate 53 of shoe 63, in the movement of the latter to roll 49, in either posi tion of plunger 83. The shoe 63 is thus shifted to the right, as viewed in Figure the roll. That assures that, in either position of plunger 58, the shoe face plate 63 will be brought into proper cooperating relation to plunger 88, when the shoe 63 is moved to roll 49.

In the modification shown in Figures 7 and 8, hub 83a of cam member 84a is slidable on a stud IilI fixed in collar 82a of web element am. Outward movement of plunger 88a is limited by a snap ring I 62 engaging in a circumferential groove H33 formed in plunger 88a adjacent the inner end thereof. Hub 83a is provided with a circumferential groove Its of considerable width and appreciable depth or radial extent. Groove I54 snugly receives an adjusting disc I fixed on a rod I95 rotatably mounted through a boss It! integral with the back wall of projection 88 of gear housing Ii. An adjusting handle IDS is suitably secured on the outer end of rod I06, conventiently by a set screw Hi9. may be held in any one, selectively, of positions, by spring pressed ball detent means IIE) of known type, mounted in boss I01, 00- operating with appropriately disposed recesses in the contiguous face of handle I08. The back wall of projection 80 is provided with suitably disposed markings or indicia, as shown, cooperating with handle I08 to indicate the angular adjustment of rod I05, and of disc I05. It will be clear, from what has been said, that by turning rod lot the cam member 8M may be adjusted toward and away from pin 81 secured through plunger 88a. The particular means for adjusting the cam member 84a is not of the essence of my invention, and it may be adjusted in any suitable manner.

The pinion 85a has a wide face relative to ring gear 69 and maintains mesh therewith during its adjustment. In Figure 7, the cam member 84:. is in its outermost position, in which cam elements or lobes 86a thereof clear the pin 8'1. Accordingly, in that position of cam member Marotation thereof does not cause reciprocation of plunger 33a and the shoe 63 is not reciprocated. Turning disc I05 through 180, from its position shown in Figure 7 to its opposite position, shifts cam member 84a to its innermost position, in which the cam elements 86a are effective for imparting maximum inward movement to plunger 86a. The shoe 63 is then reciprocated and is moved to maximum extent lengthwise in both directions, when it is to the roll and during rotation of the cam member 84a. By turning the disc its two extreme positions, the extent of reciprocatory movement of the shoe 63 may be varied from. zero to maximum. Further the extent of reciprocatory movement of the shoe 63 may be adjusted during reciprocation thereof. This enables the operator to observe the effect produced of a plurality Handle I68 I55 to a position betweenl5 5, as it moves to roll,

' said housing; a cooperating shoe upon an article being-ironed and toadjust the extentof movement of the shoe to obtain the desired results, which'is conducive to maximum efiiciency. V

The ability to adjust the extent of reciprocatory movement of the shoe 63 is of considerable practical importance. Certain articles, such as finely woven sheer fabrics, may require but slightmovementof the shoe to produce the best results, whereas more coarsely woven fabrics may require greater or increased movement of the shoe. Pile fabrics, on the other hand, may be ironed to best advantage without'reciprocation of the shoe. Also, the moisture content of the articles being ironed will influence the extent of reciprocatory movement of the shoe required for best results. By separating the articles according to kind and condition, as is usual, the operator can, by observation, readily adjust the shoe operation for maximum efiiciency for the articles of any selected group. That facilitates the ironing operation andrenders possible the desired finish of the ironed articles. shoe is reciprocatedonly while against the roll, and reciprocation thereof is automatically stopped when it ismoved away from the roll. That is advantageous in that it avoids the waste of energy for reciprocating the shoe when it is not in cooperating relation to the roll, and reduces wear on parts, conducive to increased life of the machine. While the shoe reciprocating means. conveniently'is driven by the roll drive meansthat is not essential to the broader concept of my inventionv and, within such broader concept, the shoe reciprocating means may be driven in any suitable manner.

As above indicated, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, changes in construction and arrangement of parts of my invention may be restorted to without departing from the field and scope thereof, and all such variations, the appended claims, the preferred forms been, disclosed.

I claim:

1. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, and means for as fall within the scope'of in this application in which only of my invention have a driving said roll comprising gearing within said housing; a cooperating shoe movable toward and away from'said roll and mounted for reciprocating movement lengthwise thereof, means for moving said shoe toward and away from said means for reciprocating said shoe comprising a plunger slidable through said one side of said housing actuated. by saidroll driving means anddisposed for endwise contact with said shoe when the. latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, said plunger being otherwise freefrom said shoe, and means yieldingly urging said. shoe endwise toward said plunger to position to be contacted thereby when said shoe is toward said. roll.

2. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, a shoe supporting arm movable to and from said roll, and means for driving said roll comprising gearing within carried by said arm movable thereby toward and away from said roll and mounted on said arm for relative reciprocating movement lengthwise of said roll, means for moving said shoe toward and away from said roll, a reciprocatory plunger extending through Also, the

I intend to include said shoe when the latter 9 said one side of said housing disposed for con tact at its outer end with the adjacent end of is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, means yieldingly urging said shoe lengthwise toward said plunger, and means actuated by said roll driving means cooperating with said yielding means for reciprocating said plunger and thereby reciprocating said shoe.

3. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted 'roll extending from one side of said housing, and means for driving said roll comprising gearing within said housing; a cooperating shoe movable toward and away from said roll and mounted for reciprocating' movement lengthwise thereof, means for moving said shoe toward and away from said roll, a reciprocatory plunger extending through said one side of said housing disposed for contact at its outer end with the adjacent end of said shoe when the latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, means yieldingly urging said shoe lengthwise toward said plunger, means for positioning said shoe lengthwise for contact with said plunger in the movement of said shoe toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, and means actuated by said roll drivingmeans coopcrating, with said yielding means for reciprocating said plunger and thereby reciprocating said shoe.

4. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, and means for driving saidroll comprising gearing within said housing; a cooperating shoe movable toward and away from said roll and mounted for reciprocating movement lengthwise thereof, means for moving said shoe toward and away from said roll, a reciprocatory plunger extending through said one side of said housing restrained against turning movement and disposed for contact at its outer end with the adjacent end of said shoe when the latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, means yieldingly urging said shoe'lengthwise toward said plunger, the latter havingat its outer end a cam elementdisposed to be contacted by and to shift said shoe lengthwise into position for contact with said plungerinthe movement of said shoetoward said roll incooperating relation thereto, and means actuated by said roll driving means cooperating with said yielding means for reciprocating said plunger and thereby reciprocating said shoe.

5. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, means for driving said roll comprising gearing within said housing, a rockably mounted shoe operati g shaft, and a shoe supporting arm mounted on said shaft movable thereby toward and away from said roll; a

cooperating shoe mounted on said arm for movement thereby toward and away from said roll and for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, a reciprocating plunger having rectilineal movement only extending through said one side of said housing disposed for contact at its outer end with the adjacent end of said shoe when the latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, a cam member rotatably mounted in said housing driven by said gearing, said plunger being provided with an abutment disposed for contact with said cam member, and yielding means urging said shoe lengthwise toward said plunger.

6. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, means for driving said roll comprising gearingwithinrsaid housing, a rockably mounted shoebperating shaft, and a shoe supporting arm mounted on said shaft movable thereby toward and away from said roll; a cooperating shoe mounted on said arm for movement thereby toward and away from said roll and for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, a reciprocating plunger extending through said one side of said housingdisposed for contact at its outer end with the adjacent end of said shoe when the latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, a

cam memberrotatably mounted in said housin shoe supporting shoe supporting arm driven by saidgearing, said plunger being provided with an abutment disposed for contact with said cam member, means yieldingly urging said shoe lengthwise toward said plunger, and means providing relative adjustment between said cam member and said abutment effective for varying the stroke of said plunger for adjusting the extent of travel of said shoe.

7'. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, means for driving said roll comprising gearing within said housing, a rockably mounted shoe operating shaft, and a arm mounted on said shaft movable thereby toward and away from said roll; a cooperating shoe mounted on said arm for movement thereby toward and away from said roll and for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, a reciprocating plunger extending through said one side of said housing disposedfor contact at its outer end with the adjacent end of said shoe when the latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, a cammember rotatably mounted in said housing driven by said gearing, said plunger being provided with an abutment disposed for contact with said cam member and the latter being slidable lengthwise of said plunger, means yieldingly urgingsaid shoe lengthwise toward said plunger, and means for adjusting said cam member toward and away from said abutment.

8. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, means for driving said roll comprising gearing within said housing, a rockably mounted shoe operating shaft, and a mounted on said shaft movable thereby toward and away from said roll; a cooperating shoe mounted on said arm for movement thereby toward and away from said roll and for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, a reciprocating plunger extending through said one side of said housing disposed for contact at its outer end with the adjacent end of said shoe when the latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto and otherwise free from said shoe, a cam member rotatably mounted in said housing coaxial with said plunger and driven by said gearing,

' said plunger being provided with an abutment disposed for contact with said cam member for moving said plunger outward, and yielding means urging said shoe lengthwise toward said plunger.

9. In an ironing machine comprising a gear housing, a rotatably mounted roll extending from one side of said housing, means for driving said roll comprising gearing within said housing, a rockably mounted shoe operating shaft, and a shoe supporting arm mounted on said shaft movable thereby toward and away from said roll; a cooperating shoe mounted on said arm for movement thereby toward and away from said roll and for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, a reciprocating plunger extending through said one side of said housing disposed for contact at its outer end with the adjacent end of said shoe when the latter is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto, a combined pinion and cam member rotatably mounted in said housing coaxial with said plunger and driven by said gearing, said pinion and cam member having cam elements at its outer side and said plunger having limited movement inward of said housing and being provided with an abutment disposed for contact with said cam elements for moving said plunger outward, means for adjusting said pinion and cam member axially of said plunger toward and away from said abutment member, and yielding means urging said shoe lengthwise toward said plunger.

10. In an ironing machine comprising a rotatably mounted roll, means for driving said roll, a rockably mounted shoe operating shaft, and a shoe supporting arm fixed to said shaft movable thereby toward and away from said roll; a

shoe cooperating with said roll movable by said arm toward and away from said roll and mounted for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, and power means connectable to said roll driving means and having operating connection to said shoe and to said shaft effective for reciprocating said shoe during rotation of said roll and when it is toward the latter and for operating said shaft.

11. In an ironing machine comprising a rotatably mounted roll, means for driving said roll, a rockably mounted shoe operating shaft, and a shoe supporting arm fixed to said shaft movable thereby toward and away from said roll; a shoe cooperating with said roll mounted on said arm for movement thereby toward and away from said roll and for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, and means connectable to and actuated by said roll driving means and having operating connection to said shoe and to said'shaft effective for reciprocating said shoe during rotation of said roll and when it is toward the latter and for operating said shaft.

12. In an ironing machine comprising a rotatably mounted roll, means for driving said roll, and a shoe operating arm movable toward and away from said roll; a shoe cooperating with said roll movable by said arm toward and away from said roll and mounted for reciprocating movement relative to said arm lengthwise of said roll, a reciprocating member disposed for endwise contact with said shoe when the latter is toward said roll and to clear said shoe when the latter is away from said roll whereby said reciprocating member is rendered effective by movement of said shoe toward said roll and ineffective by movement of said shoe away from said roll, means yieldingly urging said shoe endwise toward said reciprocating member to position to be contacted thereby when said shoe is toward said roll, and power means connectable to said roll driving means andhaving operating connection to said reciprocatory member and to said arm efiective for reciprocating said reciprocatory member and thereby reciprocating said shoe when the latter is toward said roll during rotation of the latter and for operating said arm.

13. In an ironing machine comprising a rotatably mounted roll, and means for driving said roll; a cooperating shoe movable toward and away from said roll mounted for reciprocating movement lengthwise thereof, means actuatable by said driving means and effective for moving said shoe toward and away from said roll, means for reciprocating said shoe comprising yielding means urging said shoe lengthwise in one direction and a reciprocatory member free from said shoe disposed for endwise contact therewith when said shoe is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto and effective for moving said shoe lengthwise in the other direction in opposition' to said yielding means, and means actuatable by said driving means for intermittently moving said member in said other direction and adjustable for varying the effective length of stroke of said member and thereby adjusting the extent of lengthwise travel of said shoe during reciprocation thereof.

14. In an ironing machine comprising'a rotatably mounted roll, and means for drivingsaid roll; a cooperating shoe movable toward and away from said roll mounted for reciprocating 'movement lengthwise thereof, means actuated by said driving means and efiective for moving said shoe toward and away from said roll, means for reciprocating said shoe comprising yielding means urging said shoe lengthwise in one direction and a reciprocatory member free from said shoe disposed for endwise contact therewith when said shoe is toward said roll in cooperating relation thereto for moving said shoe lengthwise in the other direction in opposition tosaid yielding means, and cam means actuatable by said driving means and effective for intermittently moving said member in said other direction and adjustable from an ineffective position to a maximum eifect'ive position for varying the efiective length of stroke of said member from 'zero'to maximum and thereby adjusting from zero to maximum the extent of lengthwise reciprocation of said shoe.

HENRY H. BABCOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 291,035 Davey et a1. Jan. 1, 1884 933,718 Mahoney Sept. 7, 1909 1,134,047 Hunter Mar. 30, 1915 2,115,941 Castricone May 3, 1938 2,217,522 Mueller Oct. 8, 1940 2,313,123 Castricone Mar. 9, 1943 

